No show for Furyk

DIVOTS

US Open champion Jim Furyk is likely to miss a major part of the 2004 season following arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his left wrist. Doctors feel his wrist will need between three and six months to repair itself.

That means he will not only miss next month's Masters at Augusta National, but will also not be able to defend his US Open title in 11 weeks time at Shinnecock Hills. He could even miss the British Open Championship at Royal Troon in July. Also in doubt are September's Ryder Cup matches. He was quoted as saying, "There's going to be a lot more US Opens and a lot of Masters, PGAs and British Opens in the future. But the Ryder Cup is only once every two years."

WOODS NOT TO RETURN TO OLD GURU

Despite his recent dip in form, Tiger Woods has no intention of turning to former coach Butch Harmon. Woods had his worst finish in five years with a tie for 46th place at Bay Hill Invitational, where he was chasing a record fifth successive win in the tournament. Woods feels he does not need any help right now. "Butch and I are still friends, but as far as asking for help on my swing, no," Woods said. "There's no doubt Butch has helped me a lot, but I didn't really work a lot with Butch the last two or three years."

AUSSIES UPSET

The Australasian PGA Tour officials are upset at US plans to have a PGA event, Korean Open, in November in South Korea. That event will clash with the Centenary Australian Open. Australasian PGA Tour Chief Executive Andrew Georgiou will be talking to US PGA Chief, Tim Finchem, and express his feelings.

Under the US PGA Tour's plans, the tournament would be staged at Jeju Island and the five leading players on the Australasian Order of Merit would be invited to play. Leading Australian players like Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby and Adam Scott, who would have been marquee names for Australian Open, might now choose to play in Korea.

- Bogeyman